There’s something magical about walking along a Devon beach at low tide. The waves pull back to reveal a shoreline carpeted with seaweed; a colourful, tangled world that often goes unnoticed beneath our feet. For us at The Devon Seaweed Company, these coastal treasures are not just part of the scenery, but a constant source of inspiration for our pressed seaweed art and design.
If you’ve ever been curious about the different types of Devon seaweed you see while beachcombing, this beginner’s guide will help you start to recognise some of the most common species along the coast. For us, it’s not about eating or harvesting seaweed (although we think that’s great too!), for us it’s just appreciating it, learning from it and maybe even finding creative inspiration in its beautiful forms.
Why Learn to Identify Seaweed?
Learning to identify seaweed can change the way you see the beach forever.
It connects you more deeply to the natural rhythms of the coastline, it helps you notice seasonal changes and patterns in the marine environment and it can spark creativity, whether through photography, sketching, or (our personal favourite) pressing seaweed into artwork.
We believe once you begin to spot the differences, you’ll never walk past a seaweed strandline in the same way again.
The Basics of Seaweed Identification
Seaweeds are broadly grouped into three colour families:
Green seaweeds – bright, delicate, often sheet-like.
Brown seaweeds – the leathery, strappy kinds that dominate our rocky shores.
Red seaweeds – sometimes purple or pinkish, often softer and finer.
Look at colour first, then shape and texture. Some cling tightly to rocks, others wash ashore in great drifts. We recommended that you start simple and remember you don’t need to memorise Latin names to enjoy the process of seaweed identification. It’s a beautiful, mindful exercise that encourages us to slow down and enjoy the coastline, there’s no need to us to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves!
Common Seaweeds You’ll Spot on Devon’s Coast
Here are a few of the easiest species to recognise on your next seaside walk:
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
Brown, with bubble-like bladders along the fronds that help it float. Often found attached to rocks.
Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca) Bright green, paper-thin sheets that ripple in the tide. Very common in rock pools.
Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata) A dark brown, curly seaweed that grows high up on the rocks, often where it dries between tides.
Dulse (Palmaria palmata)
Deep red, with soft, flat fronds. Historically used as food in some coastal communities.
Kelp (Laminaria species)
The giants of the seaweed world — thick brown ribbons often found washed up in long, glossy strands.
These are just a handful of the incredible seaweeds you’ll find in Devon. Each species has its own unique form, making them fascinating to spot and perfect subjects for seaweed-inspired art.
For further sources of information and identification, we HIGHLY recommend taking a look at The Marine Conservation Society’s amazing seaweed guide resource here >> https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/citizen-science/big-seaweed-search/meet-the-seaweeds/
Or take a look at our favourite book for easy identification >>
https://shop.mcsuk.org/products/seaweeds-of-britain-and-ireland-second-edition
Tips for Spotting and Enjoying Seaweed Safely
• Visit at low tide for the widest variety.
• Be cautious on rocks as they can be slippery.
• Look, don’t harvest! This is important for sustainability.
• Take a notebook or camera to record your finds and start building your own personal seaweed guide.
If you wish to take some seaweed home for pressing we recommend only taking natural flotsam which has washed ashore - never a living strand. Gently rinse your specimen in the sea to ensure any marine life which may be inhabiting it is safely returned to the ocean and ensure you have the landowner’s permission - some beaches are protected or privately owned.
From Beach-combing to creativity
For us, seaweed spotting doesn’t end on the sand. The shapes, textures, and colours we discover inspire the pressed seaweed prints, greeting cards, and textiles that we create at The Devon Seaweed Company. Each piece captures the delicacy of seaweed in a way that preserves its natural beauty.
You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy seaweed, though. Simply noticing it, the curve of a frond or the way it glistens in the tide can bring a deeper connection to the ocean and a new appreciation of Devon’s wild coastline.
Devon’s beaches are alive with hidden treasures and seaweed is one of the most overlooked. Next time you’re walking by the sea, pause to notice the variety beneath your feet. You might be surprised by how much beauty is waiting there.
If you’d like to see how we transform these coastal finds into art, explore our collection of seaweed-inspired prints, cards, and gifts, each one is a celebration of the shoreline and the magic of Devon seaweed. Or why not come and join us for one of our workshops?
You can BOOK HERE >> https://www.devonseaweedcompany.com/collections/seaweed-pressing-workshops